Colorado Deer Season 2026-27
Colorado deer season dates start with Aug 15, 2026-Jan 31, 2027. The table below keeps every listed deer row together with zones and notes where available.
Quick answer
Colorado's listed 2026-27 firearm deer season runs Oct 14-18, 2026.
Archery - Plains Deer - Plains opens Oct 1, 2026 and closes Dec 31, 2026.
Private Land Only (PLO) Deer opens Aug 15, 2026 and closes Jan 31, 2027.
The tables below keep the rest of the listed seasons together by species, with source links back to Colorado Parks & Wildlife.
Deer
Deer
Private Land Only (PLO)
PLO deer season lies within August 15 - January 31 annually. Limited either-sex and antlerless deer licenses issued by GMU/DAU as needed. PLO buck licenses available where necessary.
Zone: Private Land Only
Deer - Plains
Archery - Plains
Plains archery deer season runs 10/01-10/23 and 11/04-11/30 and 12/15-12/31 OR 10/01-10/23 and 11/04-12/31 OR 10/01-11/30 and 12/15-12/31 depending on unit. Season closes during plains rifle seasons. All licenses limited, either-sex or antlered deer only, issued by GMU/DAU.
Zone: East of I-25 except GMU 140
Deer - Plains
Muzzleloader - Plains
9-day season starting second Saturday of October. All licenses limited. Antlered and antlerless deer or antlered deer only, issued by GMU/DAU.
Zone: East of I-25 except GMU 140
Deer
Rifle - First Regular (Optional Deer)
5-day season opening first Wednesday after October 8th. Deer and elk combined season, deer hunting is optional. All optional deer licenses are limited. Antlered and antlerless deer or antlered deer only, issued by GMU/DAU.
Zone: West of I-25 and GMU 140
Deer
Rifle - Second Regular Combined
9-day season followed by 5-day break. Opens on Saturday, includes two full weekends. All deer licenses limited. Antlered and antlerless deer or antlered deer only, issued by GMU/DAU.
Zone: West of I-25 and GMU 140
Deer - Plains
Rifle - Plains Regular
11-day season starting Saturday of last full weekend of October. All licenses limited. Antlered and antlerless deer or antlered deer only, issued by GMU/DAU.
Zone: East of I-25 except GMU 140
Deer
Rifle - Third Regular Combined
9-day season followed by 2-day break. Opens on Saturday. All deer licenses limited. Antlered and antlerless deer or antlered deer only, issued by GMU/DAU.
Zone: West of I-25 and GMU 140
Deer
Rifle - Fourth Regular Combined (Optional Deer)
5-day season. Deer and elk combined, deer hunting is optional. All licenses limited. Limited either-sex or limited antlered, and limited antlerless; issued by GMU/DAU.
Zone: West of I-25 and GMU 140
Deer - Plains
Rifle - Late Plains
Late plains rifle deer season, fixed dates annually. All licenses limited. Antlered and antlerless deer or antlered deer only, issued by GMU/DAU.
Zone: East of I-25 except GMU 140
Deer - High Country
Rifle - High Country
Limited 9-day antlered deer season, opening first or second Saturday of September to avoid Labor Day weekend.
Zone: High Country/Wilderness portions of select deer units
Deer (Mule/Whitetail)
Archery - West of I-25 and GMU 140
29-day season. All archery deer licenses are limited either-sex or limited buck, issued by GMU/DAU.
Zone: West of I-25 and GMU 140
Deer (Mule/Whitetail)
Muzzleloader - West of I-25 and GMU 140
9-day season opening second Saturday of September. Limited either-sex or limited antlered, and limited antlerless in some GMUs; all licenses issued by GMU/DAU.
Zone: West of I-25 and GMU 140
The Friday Hunting Briefing.
Gear deals worth grabbing, the week's hunting news, and field-tested picks — curated every Friday by a hunter, for hunters. Free, unsubscribe anytime.
Nearby deer seasons
Colorado Deer Season FAQ
When does deer season open in Colorado?
August 15, 2026 is the earliest listed deer opener in Colorado — private land only (plo) deer runs Aug 15, 2026-Jan 31, 2027. Confirm zone and permit details with Colorado Parks & Wildlife.
What are the 2026-27 deer season dates in Colorado?
Colorado lists 12 deer season windows: Private Land Only (PLO) Deer (Aug 15, 2026-Jan 31, 2027); Rifle - First Regular (Optional Deer) Deer (Oct 14-18, 2026); Rifle - Second Regular Combined Deer (Oct 24-Nov 1, 2026); Rifle - Third Regular Combined Deer (Nov 7-15, 2026); Rifle - Fourth Regular Combined (Optional Deer) Deer (Nov 18-22, 2026); Rifle - High Country Deer - High Country (Sep 12-20, 2026); Archery - Plains Deer - Plains (Oct 1-Dec 31, 2026); Muzzleloader - Plains Deer - Plains (Oct 10-18, 2026); and more. Always verify against Colorado Parks & Wildlife before hunting.
Are there different deer seasons in Colorado?
Yes — Colorado lists separate deer seasons for Private Land Only (PLO) Deer, Rifle - First Regular (Optional Deer) Deer, Rifle - Second Regular Combined Deer, Rifle - Third Regular Combined Deer, Rifle - Fourth Regular Combined (Optional Deer) Deer, Rifle - High Country Deer - High Country. Each can carry its own dates, zones, and weapon rules; see the table above and Colorado Parks & Wildlife.
Do I need a license to hunt deer in Colorado?
Yes. Colorado generally requires the appropriate hunting license, and deer hunting may also require tags, permits, stamps, or zone authorizations. Confirm requirements with Colorado Parks & Wildlife.